Fox’s ‘X Factor’ to Get Jump on Fall With Early Premiere

There were no real surprises in Fox‘s fall premiere dates announced Wednesday, with the net again launching “The X Factor” two weeks before the start of the season. It will be followed a week later with a slew of debuts, including three newcomers.

“X Factor” will get the jump on NBC’s “The Voice” with the Fox show bowing in its regular Wednesday and Thursday slots on Sept. 11 and 12, respectively; the Peacock series debuts on the opening night of the TV season, Sept. 23. The Wednesday hourlong premiere will be followed by the season finale of “MasterChef.”

On Sept. 16, the net will roll out its early-fall Monday drama combo of vet “Bones” and newcomer “Sleepy Hollow.” “Bones” will then shift to Fridays starting Nov. 4, making way for J.J. Abrams’ new futuristic action drama “Almost Human,” which will be a high promotional priority for Fox during its coverage of the World Series.

Fox rolls out its Tuesday comedy block on Sept. 17, one week before the shows on CBS and NBC premiere, with the new “Dads” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” followed by the returning “New Girl” and “The Mindy Project.” And two nights later, on Thursday, Sept. 19, “Glee” returns for its fifth season.

The last of Fox’s fall launches will be the new Friday comedy hour of returnee “Raising Hope” and rookie “Enlisted,” which come aboard on Nov. 8.

It makes sense for Fox to launch some of its shows early, as postseason baseball chews up good chunks of its sked in the second half of October. With the net’s premiere dates on the docket, ABC remains the only broadcaster that has yet to reveal its plans.